A Guide to Ethnic Eats Near the U.S. Open

Editor’s note: As Metromix reported, the food offerings at this year’s U.S. Open are several cuts above the usual ballpark fare. There’s the half-pound U.S. Open Burger, Philly Cheesesteaks, crepes (both sweet and savory), lobster rolls, Carnegie Deli corned beef sandwiches, and ouzo shrimp. But what if you don’t want to eat in the stadium? After all, you are coming to Queens, home to some of the most varied and interesting ethnic foods in New York City. So we turned to our resident Queens expert Joe DiStefano to compile a list of 10 ethnic restaurants near the U.S. Tennis Center.

1. Golden Shopping Mall

[Joe DiStefano, unless otherwise noted]

This two-level food court in Flushing is actually a warrenlike collection of tiny restaurants that offers a cook’s tour of regional Chinese cuisines. Take care not to spill any of the fiery red chili oil from Chengdu Heavenly Plenty on your yellow cable-knit sweater.

4. Dosa Hutt

This South Indian vegetarian spot specializes in dosai, gigantic crunchy, ghee-soaked conical rice flour crepes packed with spiced potatoes. It’s located at 45-63 Bowne Street next to the Ganesh Temple. Pop in and pay your respects to the elephant-headed deity. Dosa Hutt too crowded? Hit up the Temple Canteen in the basement, which serves similar veggie fare.

6. Cuy vendors

For the truly adventurous. These Ecuadorean folks set up shop near the soccer fields in the northeast section of Flushing Meadows Corona Park near the Queens Botanical Garden. Cuy, or guinea pigs, are spit roasted over coals until the skin is a burnished golden brown. Be advised: the critters will run you from $25 to $30. Not feeling so adventurous? They also have hornado, or roast pig.

7. Park Side Restaurant

I’ve never eaten at this Italian restaurant located at 107-01 Corona Avenue in the heart of Corona, but I hear it’s good in an old-school way. Stroll over to the Lemon Ice King of Corona afterwards and then take in a bocce game in William F. Moore Park, affectionately known as Spaghetti Park.

8. Himalayan Yak

[Dan Kim]

The granddaddy of Tibetan and Nepali cuisine in Jackson Heights offers all manner of specialties from the rooftop of the world, including momo, the thick-skinned juicy dumplings that are Tibet’s national dish. If you’re lucky they might even be running a special of yak meat momo, which have a marrowlike richness that’s far superior to the plain old beef version they usually serve.

9. Tortilleria Nixtamal

There are plenty of taquerias in Corona and Jackson Heights, but none quite like Tortilleria Nixtamal. That’s because it’s also a tortilla factory that makes the disks the old-fashioned way: from freshly ground corn, instead of maseca, or corn flour. Try the Italian tamale for some real neighborhood flavor.

10. La Portena

Sometimes the mood to eat lots and lots of meat and drink sangria in an Argentine gaucho-themed space strikes. There's no better place in Queens to satisfy this craving than La Portena in Jackson Heights. Whether you opt for a mixed grill or one of the steaks be sure to slather on plenty of garlicky chimichurri.

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About the Author

About the author: Joe DiStefano is a Queens-based food writer and culinary tour guide, or as he likes to say, an enabler of gluttons. In between food tours and blogging at Chopsticks and Marrow, he is writing a book on the history of culinary culture along the 7 line.

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